CALIFORNIA: John Derek, the actor-director reputed to have been the force behind the meteoric career of his wife Bo Derek, died yesterday, aged 71.

His family members were at his hospital bedside, said Marian Medical Centre spokeswoman Stephanie Grogan.

Derek, who had a history of heart trouble, was found unconscious at his Santa Ynez Valley home in California on Wednesday and underwent lengthy heart surgery.

The Hollywood-born Derek began as a movie actor in the 1940s but later turned to still photography, film directing and producing. Ultimately, he was best known for marrying a series of beautiful actresses - Pati Behrs, Ursula Andress, Linda Evans and finally Bo Derek.